Variable temperature cooling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Variable temperature cooling apparatus in which a cooling element and an element to be cooled are provided with interfitting thermally conducting members arranged so that relative movement between the elements varies the area of contact between the members and hence the rate of heat transfer therethrough. Means for accomplishing the relative movement may be incorporated in or independent of the contact area varying arrangement.

United States Patent ,Euvonen et a1.

[ VARIABLE TEMPERATURE COOLING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Tolvo A. Juvonen, Quincy; Gene A.

Robillard, Stoneham, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Honeywell Inc, Minneapolis, Minn.

[22] Filed: Nov. 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 90,725

[52] 11.8. C1 ..62/514, 165/146 [51] Int. Cl ..F25b 19/00 [58] Field of Search ..62/5l4, 513, 333; 165/146,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,302,703 2/1967 Kelly ..l65/146 51 Sept. 26, 1972 3,190,081 6/1965 Pytryga ..62/514 3,270,744 9/1966 Katz ..62/514 3,483,709 12/1969 Bricker ..62/514 Primary Examiner-Meyer Perlin Attorney-Charles J. Ungemach, Ronald T. Reiling and George W. Field [5 7] ABSTRACT Variable temperature cooling apparatus in which a cooling element and an element to be cooled are provided with interfitting thermally conducting members arranged so that relative movement between the elements varies the area of contact between the members and hence the rate of heat transfer therethrough. Means for accomplishing the relative movement may be incorporated in or independent of the contact area varying arrangement.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures FIG. I

mv'ENTRs Towo A. JUVONEN GENE A. ROB'ILLARDII' WVQ ATTORNEY VARIABLE TEMPERATURE COOLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the field of cooling apparatus, and more specifically to apparatus for variably cooling radiation detecting means to an operating temperature.

Sensitive infrared detectors'require refrigeration to low operating temperatures, and initially low temperatures were provided by cryogenic liquids such as liquified gases at atmospheric. pressure. Such gases were normally transported and used in containers known as Dewar flasks or dewars. A Dewar flask is a double walled container constructed of material having low heat conductivity, such as glass, the space between the walls being evacuated and the walls usually being internally silvered. In detector technology the detector to be cooled is mounted between the walls in the evacuated space usually on a thermally conductive insert in the bottom of the inner wall. The bottom of the outer wall is then provided with an infrared window through which the detector may be irradiatedwith energyincapable of passing through the dewar body. When-the cryogenic liquid is introduced into the dewar, cooling of the detector takes place principally by conduction. The temperature reached is essentially the boiling point of the cryogenic liquid which is substantially constant for normal barometric pressure variations.

It is occasionally desired to be able to vary the temperature of a detector in its dewar over a range of values, rather than operating the detector at a single value, since the detector propertiesare to a considerable extent functions of temperature. This has been .accomplished, even with the rudimentary cooling system just described, by inserting between the dewar walls and electric heater in heat transfer relationship to the detector. By this means the thermal gradient from the detector to the cryogenic liquid is increased, and the detector temperature rises accordingly: no decrease in the detector temperature can be accomplished in this manner, however.'This method is wasteful of electrical energy andof cryogenic liquid.

A somewhat similar expedient has been used to get higher detector temperatures than are available in the more rudimentary system. The thermally conducting insert has been changed from a thin plate to a flanged stem sealed by its flange to the inner bottom wall with the stem between the walls: the space between the inner and outer dewar bottoms must be increased for this purpose. An electric heater is mounted on the stem between the detector at one end and the flange at the other. This permits a far greater range of detector temperature, but is even more wasteful of electric power and of cryogenic liquid, and has the further defect of tending to cause boiling of the liquid with the accompanying' physical loss of further liquid and added hazard to personnel.

With advancing technology there have been developed mechanical refrigerators having a cold finger inserted into a detector dewar instead of using the cryogenic liquid directly. When such a device is used, a separable connection of good thermal conductivity is required between the refrigerator and the detector mount of the dewar. The problem of boiling and liquid loss is obviated, but the system is still wasteful in that a BRIEFSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, an object to be cooled to a low temperature, such as a radiation detector, is mounted between the walls of a dewar on the end of a cylindrical socket of heat conducting material which is sealed at its rim to the inner wall of the dewar and closes the bottom thereof. Projecting from the bottom of aseparate container of cryogenic liquid is a'plug member of heat conductive material, which is sized to be received in the socket in heat transfer relation thereto, and which may be hollow so that when cryogenic liquidis introducedinto the dewar the plug rapidly assumesthe temperature of the liquid. Except for the plug member the container may be double walled to act forthe most part as a second dewar. The area of contact between the plug and the socket for conductive heat transfer is varied by moving the container up and down within the dewar, which may be accomplishedbyintemal screw threads on the dewar interacting with external screw threads on the container. These screw threads may be integral with or distinct from the variable heat transfer area.

It is a principalobject of the invention to provide variable cooling apparatus which uses a cryogenic liquid in a convenient, safe, and economical manner; the desiredvariation in cooling being accomplished by simple mechanical means.

Various other object, advantages, and features of novelty which characterize our invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a .better understanding of the invention, itsadvantages, and objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings which forms a furtherpart hereof, and to the accompanying'descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described certain preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a view partly in section of a first embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a similar view of a second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Theembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprisesadewar 10 made .up of a body assembly 11 and a cap assembly 12. Body assembly ll is made principally of a material of low heat conductivity, such as glass, and has spaced internally silvered inner and outer walls 13 and14. Outer wall 14 terminates in a ring 15 of material having a coefficient of thermal expansion generally thesame as glass, and the bottom of inner wall 13 isclosed by a socket 16 of material which can be sealed to glass, has approximately the same coefficient of expansion as glass, and has relatively good thermal conductivity. One suitable material is-sold under the trademark Kavar. A detector 17 to be cooled is secured to the outside of-socket 16 in-heat transfer relation thereto by any suitable mechanical or adhesive means, and is provided with suitable electrical conductors, not shown, which pass through outer wall 14 at any convenient points, in sealing relation thereto.

Cap 12 is also made principally of glass. Its bottom is closed by a window 20 of material transparent to infrared radiation, such as sapphire, since glass does not transmit infrared radiation effectively. At its upper rim cap 12 terminates in a second ring 21 like ring .15.

Dewar is closed by soldering rings and 21 together, and if desired, they may be provided with flanges for that purpose. The dewar is now evacuated through a tubulature 22 which may then be sealed off or otherwise hermetically closed. The inner surface of socket 16 is preferable flat-at the bottom as shown at 23. The bottom is surrounded by-a cylindrical wall 24 separated by a ledge 25 from a second cylindrical wall 26 having threads 27. v

Detector 17 is cooled by a cryogenic'liquid such as liquid nitrogen (LN which is contained in a container.

30. Container 30 is configured to be received within dewar.10 and essentially comprises a second dewar open at its top and closed at its bottomby a plug 31 which' is in thermal engagement internally with. the liquid. The lower part of plug 31 is cylindrical with a flat bottom, and is sized to be received within the bottom of socket 16 in radial heat transfer relation with cylindrical wall 24 and axial heat transfer relation with the flat bottom 23. Spaced from the lower end of plug 31 are external threads 32 which engage threads 27.

In operation, when container 30 is first inserted into dewar 10 the only significant heat transfer from socket 16 to plug 31 is by. radiation. As threads 27 and threads 32 begin to mesh and the container is screwed further and further into the dewar, greater and greater contact area for conductive heattransfer becomes available. Heat transfer is further increased when the unthreaded cylindrical portion of plug 31 comes into engagement with cylindrical wall 24 while the radiative heat transfer also increases because of the lessened distance involved. Finally, when the two flat surfaces are brought into engagement heat transfer is essentially totally conductive, with maximum contact area, and detector 17 receives itsgreatest cooling.

cooling, to maintain a desired minimum temperature.

Under these conditions upwarddisplacement of container 30 quickly produces a heat transfer condition in which the temperatureofdetector l7 rises, therise being determined by the longitudinal displacement of the containerwithin the dewar.

has spaced internally silvered inner and outer walls 13 and 14. At the top of body assembly 11 is located top portion 33-having threads 34. Outer wall 14 terminates at its bottom in a ring 15 and the bottom of inner wall 13-is closed by socket l6. Detector 17 is secured to the outside of socket l6 and is provided with electrical by a cylindrical wall 24 separated by a ledge 25 from a second cylindrical wall 26.

Detector 17 is cooled by a cryogenic liquid located in container 30. Container 30 is configured to be received within dewar l0 and essentially comprises a second dewar open at its top and closed at its bottom by plug 31 which is in thermal engagement internally with the liquid. The lower part of plug 31 is cylindrical with a flat bottom and is sized to be received within the bottom of socket 16 in radial. heat, transfer relation with cylindrical wall 24 and axial heat transfer with the flat bottom 23. Spaced from the lower end of plug 31 are external square threads'32 which threads engage cylindrical wall 26, in socket l6.'Located at the top of container 30 is a top portion 35 having threads 36 which threads mesh with threads 34 causing axial movement of container 30 relative to dewar 10 upon rotation of container 30.

In operation, when container 30 is first inserted into dewar 1-0 the only significant heat transfer from socket 16 to plug 31 is by radiation. As container 30 is further screwed into dewar 10, greater contact area for conductive heat transfer becomes available since more of square thread 32 is in contact with cylindrical wall 26.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. Dewar 10 is made up of a body assembly 11 and a cap assembly 12. Body assembly 11 The contact area is even further increased when the unthreaded cylindrical portion of plug 31 comes into engagement with cylindrical wall 24 while the radiative heat transfer also increases because of the lessened distance involved. Finally, when the two flat surfaces are brought into engagement heat transfer is essentially totally conductive, with maximum contact area, and detector 17 receives its greatest cooling. Container 30 can be screwed out of dewar 10 if it is desired to raise the temperature of detector 17. v

While this invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Obviously the cold finger of a mechanical refrigerator of fixed capacity may also be given the configuration of a plug 31, or detector 17 can be located elsewhere than at the bottom of the arrangement. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

'1. A variable temperature cooling apparatus comprising, in combination:

.a' first hollow elongated heat conducting member having a closed end;

' a heat load mounted on said end;

a second elongated heat conducting member maintained at a desired temperature and located within said hollow heat conducting member in continuous variable area;

means providing a conductive heat transfer path of 5 variable area between said heat conducting members; and

means varying the area of contact between said heat conducting members, thereby increasing or decreasing the heat transferred from said heat load to said second heat conducting member.

2. A variable temperature cooling apparatus comprising in combination:

a first elongated hollow dewar having a closed end and an open end, and a heat conducting portion located within said open end;

a heat load mounted on said heat conducting portion;

an elongated heat conducting member maintained at a desired temperature and located within said open end of said dewar, and having a heat conducting end which is in variable area contact with said heat conducting portion of said dewar; and

means varying throughout a predetermined range the area of contact between said heat conducting portion and said heat conducting end, thereby increasing or decreasing the heat transferred from said heat load to said second heat conducting member.

3. A variable temperature cooling apparatus comprising in combination:

a first elongated hollow dewar having a closed end and an open end, and a heat conducting portion located within said open end;

a heat load mounted on said heat conducting portion;

a second elongated dewar, maintained at a desired temperature and located within said hollow heat conducting member, including a heat conducting end which is in variable area contact with said heat conducting portion; and

means varying the area of contact between said heat conducting portion and said heat conducting end thereby increasing or decreasing the heat transferred from said heat load to said second elongated dewar.

4. The variable temperature dewar arrangement of claim 3 including threads located within said open end of first dewar which mesh with threads located on said second dewar.

5. The variable temperature cooling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for varying the area of contact comprises means rotating said second dewar relative to said first dewar thereby providing longitudinal movement of said second dewar relative to said first dewar.

6. The variable temperature dewar arrangement of claim 5 including a spiral thread located on said heat conducting end of said second dewar which threads are in contact with said heat conductive portion of said first dewar.

7. The variable temperature dewar arrangement of claim 3 wherein said heat conducting portion of said first dewar contains threads which mesh with threads located on said heat conducting end of said second dewar.

8. The variable temperature cooling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for varying the area of contact comprises:

means rotating said second dewar relative to said first dewar thereby providing longitudinal movement of said second dewar relative to said first dewar.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF COECTION Patent No. 3,693,374 Dated September 26, 1972 lnventofls) Toivo A, Juvonen and Gene A Robillard It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, line 9, delete line 10, delete "means providing a";

same line, delete "path of; line 11, delete "variable area between" and insert relation to---;

same line, after "said" insert -first-;

same line, delete "members" and insert -member;

line .13, after "varying" insert -throughout a predetermined range-.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of November 1973.

(SEAL) I Attest:

RENE D. TEGTMEYER EDWARD M.PLETCHER,JR. p I

Acting Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer oam o-1o59 H0 5 us co M-DC scan-Pea i fi GOVERNME!" PRINTING OFFICE I!!! O 3l-334 

1. A variable temperature cooling apparatus comprising, in combination: a first hollow elongated heat conducting member having a closed end; a heat load mounted on said end; a second elongated heat conducting member maintained at a desired temperature and located within said hollow heat conducting member in continuous variable area; means providing a conductive heat transfer path of variable area between said heat conducting members; and means varying the area of contact between said heat conducting members, thereby increasing or decreasing the heat transferred from said heat load to said second heat conducting member.
 2. A variable temperature cooling apparatus comprising in combination: a first elongated hollow dewar having a closed end and an open end, and a heat conducting portion located within said open end; a heat load mounted on said heat conducting portion; an elongated heat conducting member maintained at a desired temperature and located within said open end of said dewar, and having a heat conducting end which is in variable area contact with said heat conducting portion of said dewar; and means varying throughout a predetermined range the area of contact between said heat conducting portion and said heat conducting end, thereby increasing or decreasing the heat transferred from said heat load to said second heat conducting member.
 3. A variable temperature cooling apparatus comprising in combination: a first elongated hollow dewar having a closed end and an open end, and a heat conducting portion located within said open end; a heat load mounted on said heat conducting portion; a second elongated dewar, maintained at a desired temperature and located within said hollow heat conducting member, including a heat conducting end which is in variable area contact with said heat conducting portion; and means varying the area of contact between said heat conducting portion and said heat conducting end thereby increasing or decreasing the heat transferred from said heat load to said second elongated dewar.
 4. The variable temperature dewar arrangement of claim 3 including threAds located within said open end of first dewar which mesh with threads located on said second dewar.
 5. The variable temperature cooling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for varying the area of contact comprises means rotating said second dewar relative to said first dewar thereby providing longitudinal movement of said second dewar relative to said first dewar.
 6. The variable temperature dewar arrangement of claim 5 including a spiral thread located on said heat conducting end of said second dewar which threads are in contact with said heat conductive portion of said first dewar.
 7. The variable temperature dewar arrangement of claim 3 wherein said heat conducting portion of said first dewar contains threads which mesh with threads located on said heat conducting end of said second dewar.
 8. The variable temperature cooling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for varying the area of contact comprises: means rotating said second dewar relative to said first dewar thereby providing longitudinal movement of said second dewar relative to said first dewar. 